Back to the Mountain
A San Diego Tradition
Many people make the Back to the Mountain weekend an
annual pilgrimage, finding it a wonderful opportunity for renewal and a way to
reconnect to the larger Cursillo community. The weekend provides an excellent way to reflect on the past year and make plans for the new year.
APPLICATION AND FLIER
twenty-five years ago
The first San Diego Episcopal Cursillo "Back to the
Mountain Retreat" was held in 1987. The first weekend began at noon on
Saturday and ended after lunch on Sunday. It was quickly expanded to
include Friday evening and end late Sunday morning after Eucharist. The structure of the weekends have varied over the
years. Early weekends had three talks on Saturday and a fourth talk on
Sunday morning. In recent weekends there have only been three Saturday
talks. Some Back to the Mountain weekends included a Saturday evening
Ultreya, others have had evening skits.
what to expect
The format has become somewhat standardized with
each leader adding activities to complement the theme.
Friday night begins with music, introductions, and clergy reflection on
the weekend theme. The evening ends with compline, and then guests may
visit or choose to have some quiet time for reading or reflection.
a typical schedule
Saturday starts with morning prayer in the chapel
area followed by breakfast in the dining hall. After breakfast there are
two talks with discussion and/or an activity. There is a break between
the two morning talks. Another talk and discussion time follows lunch.
Arrangements are normally made to have books and other items available
for purchase from Saturday morning until the Saturday afternoon break. A
long afternoon break is planned to give people the opportunity to go on
a hike, take a nap, visit with friends, or just take
some quiet reflective time. Before dinner there is a clergy reflection,
Eucharist, and healing service. After dinner there is another clergy
talk, sharing of personal blessings and challenges, compline, and then
time for socializing and music, and recently a classic movie.
Sunday morning begins with morning prayer, followed
by breakfast. Folowing that, it is time to pack and get ready to go home.
The weekend is completed with morning Eucharist, with an optional additional witness
talk given at the Eucharist.